NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a season-opening showcase of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure, the Iona Gaels held off a second-half surge from the Hofstra Pride to secure an 81-73 victory in a non-conference men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at a spirited Hynes Center.

A crowd of 2,327 watched as the Gaels, playing their first game of the season, used a blistering first-half shooting performance to build a substantial lead that the Pride could never fully overcome. Iona improved to 1-0, while Hofstra dropped its second consecutive contest to start the year, falling to 0-2.

The game was ultimately decided by Iona’s superior execution on both ends of the floor. The Gaels posted an offensive rating of 106.8, scoring 81 points on 76 possessions, while Hofstra managed an offensive rating of 99.3 with 73 points on 74 trips. Iona’s ability to capitalize from the free-throw line proved critical, as they converted 18 of 27 attempts compared to Hofstra’s 10-of-18 performance from the stripe.

Iona guard CJ Anthony, a Columbus, Ohio, native, led all scorers with 24 points, showcasing his ability to attack the rim and draw fouls. He added five assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes of action, orchestrating the Gael offense with poise. His backcourt partner, Denver Anglin of Montclair, New Jersey, contributed six points and dished out a team-high six assists.

The Gaels set the tone early, racing out to a 44-27 halftime advantage. They shot a scorching 9 for 26 from beyond the arc in the game, with Anthony and Lamin Sabally providing the initial spark. Sabally, a versatile 6-foot-8 forward from Berlin, Germany, was a force on both ends, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Hofstra emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, outscoring Iona 46-37 in the second half. The Pride’s comeback attempt was fueled by the backcourt duo of Preston Edmead and Biggie Patterson. Edmead, a Deer Park, New York, product, spearheaded the charge with 18 points and six assists, while Patterson, from Richmond, Virginia, heated up to finish with 16 points.

The Pride chipped away at the deficit, narrowing the gap to single digits on multiple occasions in the final period. A key sequence came late in the second half when Victory Onuetu, a 6-foot-10 forward from Spain, converted a tough hook shot and subsequent free throws to keep Hofstra within striking distance. Onuetu was a presence inside, tallying 13 points and nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double.

However, every time Hofstra threatened, Iona had an answer, often in the form of Anthony. He consistently broke the Pride’s press and knocked down crucial free throws in the final minutes to seal the victory. Kosy Akametu of Carson, California, provided valuable secondary scoring for the Gaels with 14 points and four rebounds.

Despite the loss, Hofstra saw promising performances from its roster. Cruz Davis of Plano, Texas, logged 40 minutes and finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Silas Sunday, a 7-foot center from Lucan, Ireland, provided a first-half spark off the bench with 10 points and four rebounds.

The game was a battle of attrition, with both teams applying defensive pressure. Iona committed 13 turnovers to Hofstra’s 15, and each team registered eight and seven steals, respectively. The Gaels’ ability to marginally win the possession battle and convert at a higher rate from the field and the free-throw line ultimately made the difference.

Hofstra will look to secure its first win of the season when it returns home to face Molloy on Monday. Iona, meanwhile, heads on the road for its next contest, traveling to face Missouri-Kansas City on Tuesday.